Red Cedar River at MSU to be stocked with steelhead to enhance fishing on campus

The Department of Natural Resources announced Monday that approximately 3,000 steelhead were stocked this morning in the Red Cedar River at Michigan State University.

This stocking came on the heels of the MSU Board of Trustees approving an ordinance change this past December permitting hook-and-line fishing on campus grounds between the western edge of Brody Complex and the Sparty bridge on the north bank of the river only. This is the first time anglers can fish from the Red Cedar shore since the 1960s.

Previously the river was off-limits to shore fishing because the entire campus of MSU is considered a preserve and therefore, hunting, fishing and gathering were off-limits. Additionally, there were safety concerns with fishing along the river bank and bridges due to the amount of pedestrian traffic.

The steelhead stocking occurred at 11:30 a.m. at the bridge located off the southeast corner of the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Centerís parking ramp. Various DNR and MSU officials were on hand, as well as representatives from numerous constituent groups.

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Fishing the Red Cedarís designated area will be allowed during a three-year test period. Good angling opportunities will include steelhead and sucker fishing in the spring, smallmouth bass in the summer, salmon in the fall, and a host of other native species throughout the open season.

A fishing license is required to fish the Red Cedar. If anglers plan to target trout and/or salmon they will need to purchase an All-Species license.